Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Bacteremia and systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals
- NOT recommended for patients with central venous catheters
- NOT recommended during severe intestinal illness or perforation
- CFU count and viability at expiry varies greatly between products
Contraindications
- Bacteremia and systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals
- NOT recommended for patients with central venous catheters
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most studied probiotic strains with evidence for managing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, IBS symptoms, and vaginal health. Generally considered safe for healthy adults. NOT recommended for immunocompromised individuals, those with central venous catheters, or those with intestinal perforations due to risk of bacteremia and systemic infection. Product quality and CFU viability at expiry vary dramatically.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Bacteremia and systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals
- NOT recommended for patients with central venous catheters
- NOT recommended during severe intestinal illness or perforation
- CFU count and viability at expiry varies greatly between products
The available scientific evidence for Lactobacillus Acidophilus indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 24 მარ 2026, 09:04
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWProbiotic Outer Membrane-Encapsulated Antimicrobial Delivery System against Cariogenic Tristreptococcal Species Biofilms and Oral Caries. ↗Guo R et al.. Probiotic Outer Membrane-Encapsulated Antimicrobial Delivery System against Cariogenic Tristreptococcal Species Biofilms and Oral Caries.. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2026. PMID:41870273.PMID 41870273 ↗Journal ACS Appl Mater InterfacesYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41870273/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPharmacological and non-pharmacological management of long COVID. ↗Khalid K et al.. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of long COVID.. Virol J. 2026. PMID:41862909.PMID 41862909 ↗Journal Virol JYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41862909/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLactobacillus acidophilus combined with Pediococcus acidilactici ameliorates colitis. ↗Yu P et al.. Lactobacillus acidophilus combined with Pediococcus acidilactici ameliorates colitis.. Front Microbiol. 2026. PMID:41859447.PMID 41859447 ↗Journal Front MicrobiolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41859447/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWProbiotic Supplementation as an Alternative to Antibiotics in Bovine Sperm Cryopreservation: Effects on Motility, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis. ↗u00d6mu00fcr AD et al.. Probiotic Supplementation as an Alternative to Antibiotics in Bovine Sperm Cryopreservation: Effects on Motility, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.. Reprod Domest Anim. 2026. PMID:41853987.PMID 41853987 ↗Journal Reprod Domest AnimYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41853987/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWImprovement of the quality and flavor profiles of persimmon vinegar by bioaugmented inoculation with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Wickerhamomyces anomalus. ↗Wan N et al.. Improvement of the quality and flavor profiles of persimmon vinegar by bioaugmented inoculation with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Wickerhamomyces anomalus.. Food Chem X. 2026. PMID:41853602.PMID 41853602 ↗Journal Food Chem XYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41853602/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWOxidative stability and growth-promoting effect for Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 of whey protein isolate/inulin Maillard conjugates-based nanoemulsion delivery system containing fish oil. ↗Kim YW et al.. Oxidative stability and growth-promoting effect for Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 of whey protein isolate/inulin Maillard conjugates-based nanoemulsion delivery system containing fish oil.. Food Sci Anim Resour. 2026. PMID:41848984.PMID 41848984 ↗Journal Food Sci Anim ResourYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41848984/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCharacterization of age-related changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome of Kunming dogs and their associations with police performance. ↗Xu L et al.. Characterization of age-related changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome of Kunming dogs and their associations with police performance.. Microbiome. 2026. PMID:41840712.PMID 41840712 ↗Journal MicrobiomeYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41840712/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSynergistic metabolism between Veillonella ratti and Lactobacillus acidophilus and its inhibition of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection in piglet. ↗Zheng W et al.. Synergistic metabolism between Veillonella ratti and Lactobacillus acidophilus and its inhibition of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection in piglet.. Arch Microbiol. 2026. PMID:41831043.PMID 41831043 ↗Journal Arch MicrobiolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41831043/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCorrection: Tripterygium glycosides sensitizes cisplatin chemotherapeutic potency by modulating gut microbiota in epithelial ovarian cancer. ↗Zhan X et al.. Correction: Tripterygium glycosides sensitizes cisplatin chemotherapeutic potency by modulating gut microbiota in epithelial ovarian cancer.. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2026. PMID:41822333.PMID 41822333 ↗Journal Front Cell Infect MicrobiolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41822333/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGenome assessment of Lactobacillus acidophilus WG8, a putative probiotic strain isolated from Holstein-Friesian raw milk. ↗Mani S et al.. Genome assessment of Lactobacillus acidophilus WG8, a putative probiotic strain isolated from Holstein-Friesian raw milk.. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2026. PMID:41817422.PMID 41817422 ↗Journal Microbiol Resour AnnouncYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41817422/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Lactobacillus Acidophilus
A score of 2.0 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.